Dominican Republic: At least 21 people have died after heavy rainfall inundated the Dominican Republic over the weekend which displaced thousands of residents, Officials stated.
The Caribbean country’s Emergency Operations Centre (COE) remarked that over 13,000 people had to relocate to more secure places after torrential rains over the previous 48 hours flooded homes, caused power outages, and damaged bridges and roads.
At least 21 people have lost their lives, the COE noted. Nine individuals lost their lives on the weekend in Santa Domingo, the nation’s capital, when a highway tunnel wall collapsed due to rain, according to sources.
The next day, the Ministry of Public Works said that the water “infiltrated a saturated subsoil” and the foundation of the concrete wall gave way. An investigation into the incident has been ordered, while the majority of the nation’s 32 provinces remain under an alert.
Dominican President, Mr. Luis Abinader commented that it is the “largest rainfall event ever” in the Dominican Republic’s history.
Speaking of “extensive and substantial” damages, Mr. Abinader urged “those who do not believe in climate change, start believing.”
The President pointed out that classes have been suspended until Wednesday “in order to evaluate the schools that may have been affected” and “guarantee the safety of our young people”.
The rainfall, which resulted from a tropical depression, is expected to continue across portions of the country for the next 24 hours, the United States embassy said in a weather alert.
More than 2,500 people were rescued and more than 2,600 homes were affected by the storm, the COE added.
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